19 Japanese Snacks To Try Before You Die

America's obsession with Japanese food culture is no fluke. After all, the country's most important culinary icons speak to us on a deeply fundamental level. (Never underestimate the influence of a lazy, butt-naked egg.) But even more so, its innovations across the board check all the appropriate boxes: kitschy, visually arresting, and, at times, downright bizarre.

That same formula extends to Japan's snack game, which, when you take a moment to admire the packaging and design ingenuity, is miles ahead of the curve compared to anything you'll find in the aisles of your local Duane Reade. In some ways, Japanese snacks revert you to a starry-eyed child, in awe of the simple wonders of the world—no one would fault you for being as impressed by the clever way the cookie box as you are by the cookies themselves. These are standards we have come to expect.

While it's true that some Japanese pantry staples like like Hi-Chew, shrimp chips, and Pocky have transcended niche Asian snackery and made their way into the mainstream (i.e., 7-Eleven), we figured the mastery of Japan's Snackdom was worth exploring more deeply. Fortunately, snack-subscription company Munchpak answered our call, curating a package of candies, cookies, and treats that left us feeling both elated and confused, but ultimately happy to be global snackers in 2016. Here are 19 Japanese snacks to try before you die.

Tasting Panel

Russ Bengston, senior editor at Complex. Has considered using Pocky as chop sticks. (@russbengston)

Justin Bolois, features editor at First We Feast. Struggled immensely to open these 19 snacks, despite their flawless design. (@justinbolois)

Sarah Honda, brand manager at First We Feast. Just living for the next bag of pizzeria pretzel combos. (@sarah_honda)

Uha Cubes

Brendan: "They're small, conical Warheads. The monster on the package has a very accurate reaction to the candy."

Russ: "This candy was created with the same nuclear disaster that birthed Godzilla. People are suffering—I like this. And the middle isn't as horrifically sour as the exterior."

Kristen: "I'm involuntarily winking. Give this to your enemies."

Balance Power Cookies

Russ: "I think I prefer Walkers shortbread cookies. Although the butter on package is awesome touch. At this point, I'd rather have a dish of butter, since I expected it to be a protein bar."

Sarah: "There's butter featured on the package and it's called Healthy Club..."

Matsunaga Animal Crackers

Russ: "These are laser-printed animal crackers. Impressive. They’re dressed animals, so they’re very demure. Not like those real animals."

Brendan: "They've been around since 1938, surely the company has had some time to perfect the artwork."

Justin: "They're buttery and crisp. Far less chalky than American animal crackers. I can clearly see a cat on roller blades waving at me. Incredible craftsmanship."

Chocolate Cookie Wafers

Russ: "They look like Ritz Bitz Milanos. Love how they’re all serving size in one package."

Kristen: "Milano-esque qualities for sure. Similar texture and chocolate to biscuit ratio. Pepperidge Farms should sue."

Brendan: "They don't want you know know what's in the middle."

Pretz

Russ: "It's too sweet and oily for my tastes."

Dan: "Yes, it has a bit of a Kettle Korn flavor to it, with a nutty aftertaste. That's probably what your picking up."

Brendan: "Anything with sea salt and I'm there. I was ready to hate because it just seemed like Pocky without frosting."

Bourbon Chocolate Stump Candy

Russ: "Kids aspire to be lumber jacks. Whoever came up with this was on a tremendous amount of drugs. I like how the squirrel is attacking the guy on the inside of package. Chocolate is impressive for being mass produced. Better than the Mast Bros."

Dan: "It looks like a wine cork coated in chocolate."

Kristen: "Psh. It's a a chocolate mushroom rip-off."

Brendan: "Based on the rings, these stumps are four-years-old."

Doaremon Cracker Sticks

Russ: "They're like chocolate-coated packing material."

Dan: "It's essentially a chocolate covered cheese ball. You supposed to pour milk in the container?"

Latest News

Now Trending

FIRST WE FEAST participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means FIRST WE FEAST gets paid commissions on purchases made through our links to retailer sites. Our editorial content is not influenced by any commissions we receive.